Probers: Police officer tagged in Dysam shooting has many namesakes

Franz Dysam. https://www.ncaa.org.ph file photo

MANILA, Philippines—Investigators said they are validating the status of the police officer allegedly behind the attack on basketball player Franz Dysam and his girlfriend in San Juan City.

In a phone interview, Senior Superintendent Bernard Tambaoan said they have started the verification process, but added that there are about 1,000 police officers in the entire country having the same name as that of the supposed suspect.

“Common kasi yung pangalan nito kaya ang dami niyang kapangalan na iba-iba ang rank (The name is common and he has many namesakes holding various ranks),” he said, but declined to give the name they were looking for.

So as not to confuse Dysam, Tambaoan said they will present pictures of police officers by hundreds.

Dysam earlier alleged that a cop whom his girlfriend Joanne Sordan once lived with could have been behind the attack.

The police officer allegedly had threatened the Letran Knights cager over his relationship with Sordan.

The victims were in a Nissan Sentra when one of the two assailants on a motorcycle pumped bullets into the car, wounding Dysam and killing Sordan.

Tambaoan also said police have ruled out business conflict angle.

“As per the CCTV footage, it was observed that Dysam was really the target,” Tambaoan said.